Welcome to Darts Hill Garden

Darts Hill Garden is the result of over 70 years of work and dedication guided by the vision of Francisca Darts.

One Woman’s Vision

Darts Hill Garden is the result of over 70 years of work and dedication guided by the clear vision of Francisca Darts. Along with her husband Edwin, Francisca took a logged piece of land, turned it first into an award winning orchard and then into the unique garden that is Darts Hill today.

Francisca’s curiosity and love of the new and interesting has resulted in the most diverse collection of mature tree and shrub species in the Pacific Northwest. Many were planted from seed collected from around the world.

In 1994 Edwin and Francisca Darts donated their 7.5-acre garden to the City of Surrey and its citizens. Their intention was to give Surrey its own garden to be used as a horticultural centre for the preservation, enhancement, and development of plants. The non-profit Darts Hill Garden Conservancy Trust Society works in partnership with the City of Surrey towards these goals.

FALL AND WINTER OPENINGS

Fall is a lovely and interesting time to visit Darts Hill Garden – its full of weird and wonderful seeds, fruit, and mushrooms, colourful leaves, and late-blooming flowers and grasses. In winter, the garden is open for members only as the bark and branches of unique trees take centre stage, along with evergreen plants and occasional unexpected flowers. The garden is closed in December.

Public Openings. Explore the garden during one of our Garden Strolls, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until the end of September. Or visit during one of our special Open Houses, scheduled September 22 and October 20. Some events feature a sale of plants propagated at Darts Hill. Please check out our calendar for further details, additional events, and confirmation of all openings. Admission is by donation.

Memberships. To enjoy extended openings and the opportunity to fully enjoy and contribute to this exceptional plantsman’s garden, please consider the advantages of becoming a member. (Costs start at $20.) Learn more here.

Tours. For a truly customized experience, bring your own group of five or more for a two-hour Guided Tour, conducted by one of our experienced guides. In addition, our popular Friday afternoon Garden Director’s Tours have resumed and continue until the end of September.

Pre-registration is required for all tours.Tour cost is $5 per person. Visit our tours section to learn all you need to know about booking a Darts Hill Tour.

Visiting with Children. Darts Hill Garden can be magical for children of all ages. They’ll enjoy exploring the winding mossy pathways, going through “tree tunnels,” and taking in the colours, sounds, and smells of the garden. They’ll observe the variety and unique features of plants from around the world, learn to recognize our own Pacific Coast native plants, see honeybees and mason bees at work, and perhaps see a rabbit or other creature that inhabits the garden. It’s a unique learning experience.

Parents are asked to supervise their children and teach them to stay on the pathways and respect the special plants in this garden. Bicycles, skateboards, soccer balls, and similar items are not permitted in the Heritage Garden at Darts Hill Garden Park.

Pets Policy. No pets please – only service animals, properly identified, are permitted in the garden.